Machine for molding and drying pulp.



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Patented Nov. 23

J. H. RIVERS.

MACHINE FOR MOL-DING AND DRYING PULP.

APPLICATION man $5111.19, 1910. RENEWED Aue. 1.1914.

LLU.

. H. RIVERS.

MACHINE FOR MULDING AND DRYING PULP.

APPLlcATIoN FILED SEPT.. 19. 1910. RENEwED AUG. 1.1914.

Patented-Nov. 23, 1915.

6 SHEETSSHEET 2. 1.5 4f

I. H. RIVERS.

MACHINE ma Mmmm; AND DRI/ING PULP. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I9. 19|0. RENEWED AUG. I. I9I4.

Patented NQV. 23, 1915.

s SHEETLSHEET 3.

I n Il I..I III III/l v MMIII I. H. RIVERS.

MAcHlNE Foa wloLmNG AND DRYING PULP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19. 1910. RENEWED AUG. 1.1914. IIIJ, Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

I. H. RIVERS.

MACHINE FOR IwoIDING AND DRYING PULP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.19. 1910. RENEWED AUG. 1.1914.

Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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. 1914. PatentedfNov. 23, 1915.

6 SH'EETSnSHI-ET 6.

I. H. RIVERS.

MACHINE FOR MOLDING AND DRYING PULP.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I9. 1910. RENEWED AUG. I www@ .f.. RITIIIPVLPIPYIFVIPVL JULIAN H. RIVERS, OF \NIOTAZE, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO I UNIVERSAL FIBRE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

Application led September 19, 1910, Serial No. 582,735.' Renewed August 1, 1914. Serial No. 854,560.

To all 'whom it may concern.'

Be it known that l, JULIAN H. RIVERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Niotaze, Kansas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Molding and Drying Pulp, of which the following is a specification.

This invention' relates to machines for molding and drying pulp, and has for its object to produce a machine whereby it is possible to mold and dry objects composed of pulp and other ingredients.

In a specilic sense the present invention consists of an advance improvement upon the apparatus described in Patent No. 804,432, issued to me November 14th, 1905. The apparatus constituting the subject-matter of the present invention is perfectly adapted for use in practising the process described in my said patent, and also the improved process described in an application for patent filed by me July 26, 1909, Serial No. 509,472. By use' of the present improved machine, the process of said patent or of said application may be carried on with maximum eiiiciency and practically perfect articles may be formed.

Having these and other objects to be attained, a machine containing an embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the complete machine. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view illustrating the arrangement of the parts whereby the bottom of the mold incasement is raised and lowered. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the mold. Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-5 of Fig. 3 looking upwardly. Fig. 5 is al sectional view on the same line looking downwardly. Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating the construction of the mold. Fig. 7 is a plan View of the complete machine. Fig. 8 is a central, vertical, sectional view of the supply hopper and the upper portion of receiving tank. Fig. 9 is an exterior side elevation of one of the sections of a mold for producing containers such as barrels and other vessels. Fig. 10 is an edge View partially in section of the same part. Fig. 11 is an interior side elevation of the same part and portion of the retieulated surface being removed. Fig. 12 is a plan sectional View of one of the mold sections.

The machine comprises a supporting frame 1, carrying a container or tank 2 which may be inclosed by an electric heating jacket 3 whereby the tank and contents may be maintained at approximately uniform temperature. A top plate 4 is attached to the upper end of the tank 2' and constitutes a closure for the tank. A hopper 5 is provided with a tubular eXtenslon 6 which extends into an opening in the top plate 4. A valve 7 (Fig.- 8) is supported by a rod 8 swinging from the end of a lever 9. A weight or other actuating device 10 acts upon the lever 9 effectively to hold the valve 7 in close adjustment against ay gasket` or valve-seat 11 as shown 1n Fig. 8. The

liquid supply pipe 12 opens into the tank 2 near its bottom and a pressure supply pipe 13 opens into said tank near the top thereof.

The bottom of the tank includes a ring or frame piece 14 having an internal flange 15. A bottom plate 16 is provided with an eX- terior flange which shoulders upon the iange 15 and is supported thereby. A plate 17 is arranged upon the plate 16 and is rigidly secured thereto clamping onto a diaphragm 1S. the outer edge of which is clamped between the ring 14 and the end of the tank 2. A space separates the outer edge of the plate 16 from the diaphragm 18 and from the lower end of the tank 2 permitting slight movement of said plate 16 as hereinafter described. The diaphragm 18 being of corrugated sheet metal permits movement of the bottom plate 16 while maintaining a perfect seal for the bottom of the tank. It

is preferred that the plate 17 shall slope outvertical movement of ends in guides.A 22a,

' 24are hinged to the rods 22 byzinean's of fstaves 28 at close intervals and vat theirv ribs or flanges 25 which sections 24. The adjacent endsfof the `ribs or `iianges25 support pins 26 upon one of which hooks 271are: supported,l said hooks on the adjacent sectionfthereby tojlatch with the mold sections in close-relation as shown in Fig. 5; The mold shownin' the drawings is of a design for formingrcon# tainers of barrel shapefand includes aseries of Vertical sections orstaves 28 .onthe inner face of which are vertical channels 29 (Fig. 11). These channelsv form `attenuated ribs or ridges. Holes 30 are formed through the inner openings extend across the base of those ribs which they intersect` as shown in Fig. 11. In other Words,.the holes are the same width as the ribs `forming the ribs which they intersect into series oprojec` tion. These holes increase in size outwardly so that the moisture being ejected therethrough will meet with no obstruction in its egress. A section `of perforated or reticulated material 31 covers the inner surface of each stave pressing against the attenuated edges of the ribs and projections thereof. The edgesvof the reticulated sections 31 extend outwardly against the edgesl of the staves 28 and are'then bent obliquely toward Aeach other' as 'shown in Fig. l2.

Each of the staves 28 has rigid therewith outward extensions `or flanges 32 whereby the staves are connected with the shell or incasement sections 20 and 24 and heldin proper relation. 'The deiector. plates 33 are mounted between the mold sections and the incasement 20-24 so that the outward flow of the liquid will be deliected. These delector plates rest against projections 34 on the extensions 32 and are prevented from inward movement by intermediate projections 35 extending from-the staves 28. (See Fig.',12). 4This completes the side walls of One 'end of the mold is supported by the plate16 'constituting the bottom of the tank 2. In the under side"-,of the plate 16 is a series -of concentric -grooves :or channels 36 constituting air chambers which encircle the passage formedlby the tank outlet 19. A thin metallic plate-37 closes these grooves or channels and is held in positionby a frame. or grid 38 against which :bear the sections'or staves plate 39, thek construction f 'l'nto 'the chamber 'Frein this chambe fportionfof-the ejected liquid to any delivery are rigid.'with said. {The bottomjor opposite end 'of the mold when the mold is 'in use. A j ported within 'th'e' frame 42 tral opening 44 through which the liquid ated in any suitable vbodiment shown the valve is mounted upon the end of an` operating lever 53.

with v said shaft and their o fgwhich 'similar to that of the staves 28.

g ponv the inner surfaceV of the plate 39 is a Vsection 40 or. reticulated material similar to the sections 31 so -.themo1d .may pass .therethrough and thence that 4the Aliquidi within outside of the mold. outlets 41' conduct a vincludesA a' supportingframe 42 having a liange- 4encircling the f, mold incasement 20"'24ai1d `hq; ldin,'gsa'id incasement closed plate 43 is supand has a cenejectedv from the mold passes to places `of discharge. A frame 45 rests upon the plate 43 its construction being similar to the frame 38, and upon said frame 45 the frame o r grid 46 is mounted. A section 47 of reticulated material is attached to the frame 46 andextends under the lower ends of the staves 28. Below' the plate 43 deiector plates48 vare arranged and said plates serve to: check and change the direction of flow ofthe liquid. Outlets 49 through the frame 42 permit outward flow of the liquid, but the capacityofsaid outlets is less than the capacity-'of `theinlet 19 so that the mold and the chamber surrounding the mold will become lilled with liquid during the formation of any article in the mold. A hopper 50 is arranged to receive the liquid which is ejected through the bottom of the mold. The outlet of said hopper is controlled by the valve 51 which may be opermanner.V In the ema rod52 guided through the outlet opening of thedischarge hopper 50 and resting upon Said lever is actuated to idle position by a spring 54. Pressure upon the outer end of the lever 53 will raise the rod 52 and open the valve 51 permitting the liquid to discharge from the hopper.

y I will now describe the operating mechanism whereby the mold is opened and closed. `The frame 42 rests upon supporting blocks 55 (Figs. 1 and 2) said blocks being mounted upon horizontal beams 56. The

lrock shaft' 62 extends across thel top of the tank and arms 63 have their lower ends rigid upper ends pivoted to the rod 60 and are connected by a beam 61. By rocking the shaft 62 the arms 63 may be moved to horizontal position which will lower the links 59 and the mold and other parts supported thereby. For this purpose an operating lever 64 is attached to the shaft 62 and may be operated to rock said shaft eectively to permit the links 59 and the parts supported thereby to move downwardly. In the position of the lever 64, shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the links 59 are held in their highest adjustment and the mold is closed ready for use. By raising the free end of the lever 64, the arms 63 will be swung to horizontal positions and the links 59 and the parts supported thereby will be lowered. This downward movement of the links 59 carries also the beams 56 and the mold which is supported thereon. Guide rods 66 (F ig. 2), which are attached to the frame 23 extend through projections on the blocks 55 and into holes 67 in the frame part 42, thereby acting as guides to prevent lateral oscillation of all the moving parts during their vertical movements. This down l ward movement of the bottom frame 42 also carries the entire mold, disengaging the mold incasement from its connection with the bottom of the supply tank, such engagement being shown at 68 in Figs. 3 and 6. Descent of the mold is stopped by the ends of the rods 22 abutting against the bottoms of the guides 22b which occurs just after the mold separates froln the tank 2. The bottom frame 22 continues its downward movement until it is separated from the mold incasement and is stopped by the rods (S6 which permit the said bottom to move farther than the rods 22 permit the mold to move. The mold may then be opened and the article therein may be removed.

In operating the machine, the mold is held in closed position and supported against the tank 2 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The water and suspended material, including pulp, and such other ingredients as may be desired, are admitted into the tank 2 through the hopper 5, preferably without pressure, A quantity of the liquid and suspended materials pass through the passage 19 into the mold and completely fills the mold. The liquid passes through the mold walls and completely fills the surrounding space between said mold and its incasement. said liquid also passing through the top and bottom of the mold. During this time the valve 51 is closed so as to retard the outward flow of the liquid which can escape only through the passages 41 and 49 during the time that said valve is closed. The combined capacity of the passages 41 and 49 is less than the capacity of the mold inlet 19, so that the mold and incasement will be kept filled prior to the application of the `pressure mentioned below. This primary How of the liquid to fill these spaces deposits a relatively thin layer of the pulp and other inv gredients against theentire inner surface of the mold. After the primary layer has been formed in this way, air or steam pressure may be admitted into the tank 2 through the pipe 13 with such force and effect as to drive the remaining liquid and suspended materials from the tank 2 into the mold, the liquid passing through the walls of the mold while the suspended elements are firmly compacted and felted into a hollow article, the exterior of which is defined by the interior surface of the mold. About the time that the pressure is admitted into the tank 2, the valve 51 should be opened so as to afford free outlet for the ejected fluids. Should it be desirable the liquid and suspended elements in the tank 2 may-be maintained in agitation either prior to or during the admission of the pressure. Said agitation may be effected by the admission of additional liquid through the pipe 12 which opens into the tank 2 near the bottom thereof. The pressure of the heated air or steam is maintained after the ejection of the liquid until the molded article has been properly dried, after which the mold may be lowered b v operation of the lever as previously described.

I am aware that there may be modifications in the construction and arrangement o1' the parts embodying the present invention without departure and scope of the invention.

I do not confine myselfl to specific features of construction or arrangement, but

lVhat I claim and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is- 1. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to contain the materials to be compacted` a mold, an incasement around said mold, deiector plates between said mold and said incasement, an inlet passage from said tank into said mold, and an outlet passage from said incasement, substantially as specified.

In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to contain the materials to be compacted, a mold, an incasement around said mold, deflector plates between said mold and said incasement, an inlet passage for admitting materials to be compacted from said tank into said mold, an outlet passage from said incasement, and a valve controlling said outlet passage, substantially as specified.

3. In a machine of the character described, a tank for receiving the materials to be com pacted, a lnold, an incasement around said mold, detlector plates between said mold and said incasement and out of contact with said mold, a passage for delivering materials frame, links supporting said frame, and the communicating with said incasement, an

.outlet passage from said hopper, and a valve controlling said outlet, specified. Y l 4 .Y

4. In a machine of the character described, a. tank, a mold, links su portedby said tank, and a 'lever operable e ectivelyto cause said links to move said mold to operative adjustment, substantially as described.

5. Ina machine of the character described, the combination with a tank, a mold, and links supporting said mold, of a lever for operating said links, and means operated by said lever for locking said mold, substantially as described.

6. In a machine of the character described, a 1nold,an incasement around said mold, and

substantially as a delector located between said mold and said incasement, substantially as described. 7. In a machine of the character described, a tank, a frame, a mold supported by said llever operable to move saidl frame and mold effectively to engage said mold with said tank, substantially as described. Y

In a machine ofthe character described, a tank, a frame, a -mold supported by said frame, devices supporting said frame and mold whereby said mold will be held in engagement with said tank, means for operatlng said supporting devices to permit said mold to become disengaged from said tank, and means for disengaging said mold from said frame, substantially as described.

9. In a machine of the character described, a tank, a mold, a passage froml said tank into said mold, a supply pipe leading into said tank, a pressure supply pipe leading into said tank, an incasement around said mold,

and outlet passages communicating with the interior of said incasement, substantially as described. I 10.v In a machine of the character de scribed, a mold, anincasement around said mold, deiector plates between said jpmold, and incasement, a supply passage opening into said mold, andoutlet passages `from said incasement of smaller capacity than said supply passage, substantially as described.

11. In a machine of the character described, a tank, a frame, a mold supported by said frame, means for holding said mold in engagement with said tank, meansfor permitting said mold andy said frame to move away from said tank, and means for disengaging said mold from its frame, substantially as described.

12. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to receive the materials vto be compacted, a mold outside of said tank, a passage for-delivering materials from said tank into said mold, an incasement inclosing said mold, discharge passages leading from said incasement, a hopper supporting said mold and incasement and arranged to recelve materials dlscharged therefrom, means for moving said hopper to adjust said mold in operative or in inoperative position, a discharge outlet'from said hopper, and means for varying the speed of discharge through said outlet, substantially` as specified.

i 13. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to receive the materialsto be compacted, a mold outside of said tank, a shaft mounted in bearings 0n said tank, links, a rod connecting said links, elements attached to said shaft and pivoted to said rod, a support for said mold cara ried by said links, a lever for operating said links to raise and lower said mold, and a passage from said tank into said mold, substantially as specified.

14. In a machine of the character dcscribed, a tank arranged to receive materials to be compacted, a mold, a series of pivoted parts supporting said mold, means for locking said mold in closed adjustment, links supporting said mold, means for operating said links to move said mold into position to receive materials from said tank, and a passage for delivering materials from said ark into said mold, substantially as specil5. In a machine of the character described, a mold, a series of hinged sections forming an incasement around said mold, deflectors located between said sections and said mold, and means for locking said sections to hold the mold closed, substantially as specied. l

16. In a machine of the character dcscribed, a mold, a series of hinged parts constituting an incasement around said mold,

- as specified.

17. In a machine of the lcharacter dcscribed, a tank arranged to contain materials to be compacted, a mold top attached to said tank, a frame, a mold side wall supported by Said frame, links supporting said frame, a lever operable to move said frame and mold side wall efectively to engage said mold side wall against said mold top, and a passage for delivering the materials from said tank into said mold, substantially as specified.

18. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to contain the materials to be compacted, a frame, an annular mold supported by said frame, an incasement inclosing said mold, links supporting said frame, an outlet from said mold, means 1,1c1,1co

for controlling said outlet, and a lever operable to move said frame and mold effectively to engage said mold with said tank, substantially as specified. Y

19. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to receive the materials to be compacted, an annular mold, an incasement inclosing said mold, links supporting said mold, and incasement, a passage from said tank extending downwardly .into said annular mold, a hopper arranged to receive the material discharged from said mold, an 4outlet from said hopper, a valve controlling said outlet, means for opening said valve, and means for o-perating said links to disengage said mold from said tank, substantially as specified.

20. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to receive the material to be compacted, an annular mold, a continuous passage from said tank into said mold, means for admitting fluid pressure into said tank and mold, and means for movino said mold away from said tank, substantia ly as specified.

21. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to receive the material to be compacted, an annular series of mold sections, an incasement for the mold formed by said sections, releasable connections holding said incasement closed, means for locking said mold and incasement in position to receive materials from said tank, and a continuous passage leading from said taik into said mold, substantially as speciie 22. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to receive the material to be compacted, a support, an annular series of mold sections carried by said support, an incasement for themold formed by said sections, releasable connections for holding said incasement and mold closed, means for locking said incasement and mold in position to receive materialsfrom said tank, a passage extending into said mold from said tank, and a lever operable to release said mold and incasement, substan tially as specified.

23. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to receive the material to be compacted, a series of mold wallsections, an incasement for inclosing the mold formed by said wall-sections, means for locking said mold and incasement in position to receive materials from said tank, a lever for releasing said mold and incasement, a discharge outlet from said mold and incasement, and means for varying the speed of ow through said outlet, substantially as specified.

24. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to receive the materials to be compacted, a heating jacket inment, and means for regulating the quantity of discharge through said outlet, sub

stantially as specified.

25. In a machine of the character de-A scribed, a tank arranged to receive the Ina'- terials to becompacted, a mold arrangedl below said tank, a movable plate between said tank and said mold, a passage for delivering material from said tank to said mold, an incasement inclosng said mold, discharge' passages leading from said incasement, and a chamber arranged below said mold and said incasement for receiving the materials discharged therefrom, subtan'tially as specified.

26. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to receive materials to be compacted, a movable closure for the lower end of said tank comprising a movable plate and a flexible sheet, a mold arranged below said tank, a passage from said tank to said mold supported by said closure, and discharge passages leading from said mold, substantially as specified.

27. In amachine of the character described, a tank for receiving materials'to be be compacted, a mold supported below said tank, a movable plate between said mold and said tank, and a passage from said tank to said mold through said partition, substantially as specified.

28..In a machine of the character described, a container wall and top, a bottom for the container, a. support on which said bottom is movable with respect to said container wall, means preventing leakage of the materials between said wall and said movable bottom, a mold below said bottom, means for supporting said mold against said bottom, and a passage through said bottom for discharging materials into said mold, substantially as described.

29. In a machine of the character de- Asaid'V container and-'said mold, means for @supporting said'. partition whereby movement thereof with respectA tov said container 'is-permitted,-A and a passage through a, said movable partition from said mold, substan-- tially as'described. 3,1. In a machine .of .the character dei scribed, the combination. with acontainer,

on which lsaid mold Y and a' mold'section'supported' by said'con-.

a `movable support tainer, of lmold walls,

walls are mounted,

.means for moving saidmoldfwalls lto and scribed, a1` .tank arranged to receive the 'ma-r A32.1n a machine "o from. `said. `mold sectiongandgaiassage for conducting materialsffi-Qmjsai A into the meld,v substantially as described.'

terials to becompacted, a mold 'supported below saidtank, a flexible partition with t vproducing passage therethrough between said tank and said mold, which iiexible partition has an area greater than' the area, of said mold,

a differential pressure', said pres- Asure causing lincreased tightness of joints with increase of pressure.

33. In a machine `of the character described, a` container, side and end walls forming a jointedv mold to withstand internal pressure,za passage for admitting pressure from said' container into said mold,

'and means whereby increase ,of pressure in said container -increases tightness of the joints between certain of said walls of said IllOld. l

34. In a machine of the character described, 'a tank arranged to receive materials tobe compacted, a movable 4bottom 'W'all for said tank, amold supported below sald tank, a passage for conducting matemported'by said bottom container v f' the character dev :rials and the pressing fluid from said tank into said mold, a topvfor said mold suplported by said bottom wall, and means :whereby increase of pressure in said tank will increase the tightness of the joint be- Y tween the top 'ofsaid mold and the remaining. portions thereof.

, 35. In a machine ofthe character described, a tankarranged to receive the materials to be compacted, a movable bottom wall'for said tank, a top mold wall supwall, a mold supported below said tank, means for supportling said mold against said top mold wall, a passage through said bottom of said tank and through said top mold wall for con ducting materials and the pressure from said tank into said mold, and a passage for admitting pressure into said tank.

36. In a machine of the character described, a tank arranged to lreceive the maa terials to be compacted, means for admitting pressure into said tank to force the materials therefrom, a mold supported below said tank for receiving the materials forced from said tank, a movable partition between said tank and said mold having a passage for admitting the materials from said tank l to said mold, and a support upon which said 

